A silica gel sculpture “Communication” by Cang Xn in the new Saatchi Gallery via Reuters

One of the most influential art collectors, Charles Saatchi, who years ago jump started the careers of the Young British Artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, has opened his new gallery in Chelsea in Central, London. The neoclassical former military barracks from 1801 known as the Duke of York Headquarters building is the now home to Saatchi’s gallery and his opening exhibit called “The Revolution Continues: New Art From China.” Within the space, a standard “white cube” internal architecture, the inaugural group show features works of art from the most of the top contemporary Chinese artists. Duke of York Headquarters buildings provides an impressive 70,000 square feet of space of gallery space, and in its past life was the military headquarters and barracks for the Duke’s soldiers.

Charles Saatchi’s first gallery was a converted former paint factory, launched in 1985. In 2005, Saatchi’s gallery was forced to vacate its previous location on the River Thames 2005 and this space marks a very dramatic return to the scene. The show has generally received positive reviews. Some in the press have noted that there are several Eastern equivalents to the work of some of Saatchi’s original artist discoveries, such as the Australian hyper-realist sculptor Ron Mueck whose work resembles some of the Sun Yuan and Peng Yu works in this show for example. Next year Saatchi Gallery will curate a show of contemporary Middle Eastern art, including from Iran and Iraq.